Printers disappear when using TS for no reason

Hi,
I have a number of remote users using TS to connect to the main site. TS is a based on a Windows 2003 server.
Every so often their printers disappear from their desktops and it takes a number of retries to get them working again.
Having looked around this is a known problem with TS and there is a resolution according to Microsoft (KB239088), but never having really used TS I am not sure how to proceed and need some guidance if anyone out there can point me in the right direction.
Having looked at the KB article it refers to an ntprint.inf file. I looked in this and I could not see the HP printer listed in there (HP1022). It also refers to an CPD or PPD or PDC files which I am not sure about.

You could have have a problem with the print spooler on the Server. Sometimes it will crash and all the printers with disappear. You most likely have someone printing to the wrong que or a phantom printer. Check your logs

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goldsmithwilliamsAuthor Commented: 2008-02-01

I have checked that and from the KB article the errors they refer to are the ones I am getting. There are not phantom printer or incorrect queues.

The first question: is this printer supported under Windows Server 2003 and more specifically, with Terminal Services and/or Citrix (not that you have Citrix)?
Most printers are NOT supported under Terminal Services. If this printer has no Windows Server 2003 OUT-OF-THE-BOX drivers it means you probably installed drivers on the TS what is NOT recommended at all.
The correct approach is to create your own NTPRINT.INF substitute and set it to use an out-of-the-box driver that works with this printer (i.e. LaserJet 5). Explained here:http://support.microsoft.com/kb/275495

If you installed any other printer driver on the TS that may be the issue. The best solution is to spend the money and get a third party printing solution like UniPrint, SimplifyPrinting or ThinPrint. They will allow you to always print to ANY printer without installing ANY driver on the TS.

Claudio Rodrigues

Microsoft MVP
Windows Server - Terminal Services

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